The "separate and silent" system used at Eastern State Penitentiary seemed based on sound principles such as avoiding cross-contamination of evil ideas, but suffered from implementation problems such as being able to maintain silence among the prisoners and not having work tasks that could be completed in a small cell. How might contemporary technology and craft labor be used to overcome those Nineteenth Century problems? Would it be worthwhile to try the "separate and silent"
again?

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The Answer of The "separate and silent" system used at Eastern State Penitentiary seemed based on sound principles such as avoiding cross-contamination of evil ideas, but suffered from implementation problems such as being able to maintain silence among the prisoners and not having work tasks that could be completed in a small cell. How might contemporary technology and craft labor be used to overcome those Nineteenth Century problems? Would it be worthwhile to try the "separate and silent"
again?

The "Separate and Silent" System Used at Eastern State Penitentiary